As an art history major, you learn to look beyond the surface of a work of art and to analyze it on a deeper level. You learn about the different techniques used in creating a piece, as well as its symbolism and meaning.
You also explore the history of art, from its earliest beginnings to modern day works. In addition, you learn about how art has been used throughout history to communicate messages and ideas.
An art history major is exposed to a wide range of artistic media and styles, from painting and sculpture to photography, digital media, and more. You learn how to identify different styles and movements within the field of art history. It’s important for an art historian to understand the context in which a work was created—the social and political environment at the time it was created—in order to fully appreciate its significance.
In your classes you also learn about conservation techniques used by museums and galleries in order to preserve artwork over time. You gain an understanding of the ethical considerations involved in displaying artwork, such as balancing preservation with access for public viewing. You acquire skills related to archiving works of art so that they can be shared with future generations.
Art Appreciation is another key component of an art history degree program. Through courses focused on specific media or periods in history, you learn how to critically analyze works of art both aesthetically and technically. This knowledge helps you understand why certain pieces were considered important enough for display or acquisition by collectors or institutions such as museums or galleries.
Research is an essential part of any degree program in Art History. You will become familiar with library databases dedicated specifically to Art History research as well as other resources such as museum catalogs, archives, scholarly journals, newspapers, websites, etc., for uncovering information about particular artists or artwork. As part of your studies you will develop research strategies that will help you find reliable sources that can be used in papers or presentations on topics related to Art History.
Conclusion:In conclusion, an Art History major provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of visual arts throughout time along with its various implications within society. Students gain valuable skills related to research, analysis and appreciation that are applicable across many disciplines both inside and outside academia.